Knitting jack



July 11, 1939. A. D. EICHNER? 2,165,464

KNITTING JACK Filed July 16, 1938 INVENTOR Albert Dal/id Eichner ATTORNEY Patented July 11 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to knitting machines of the "links-and-links type, and particularly to the "jack components thereof.

Most conventional knitting machines have needle beds formed therein which have a plurality of sets of parallel, aligned grooves or channels therein, within which the knitting needles are disposed. Other members are disposed within these grooves or channels, which engage and reciprocatingly move the needles. These members are known inthe art as jacks, and comprise the subject matter of the present invention. The needles are usually wholly disposed within the grooves or channels so that no part thereof projects outtherefrom. The jacks, how ever, are actuated by cams or blocks on the machine carriage, and are necessarily provided with butts or extensions, adapted to be contacted by the cams or blocks. Movement of the cams or blocks is imparted to the jacksand in turn to the needles-in a predetermined manner in order to produce the desired varieties of stitches, loops or patterns in the knitted material.

The Jacks are held and moved back and forth within narrow grooves or channels, and the jacks are usually of substantially the same thickness as the .width of the groove or channel, so as to I have little or no play therebetween, except to permit the jack to move back and forth in response to cam or block actuation. The cam or block, borne by the machine carriage, strikes the jack butt or extension a heavy blow, and as ofttimes occurs, the butt or extension is snapped off and the jack rendered useless for any further practical purposes.

In and of themselves, the jacks are relatively inexpensive, but a great many of them are used in each machine, and ultimately the cost of jack replacement becomes a sizeable item in the operation of a knitting machine.

The main object of my invention is to reduce the cost of the jack components of the knitting machines,and I accomplish this object by making the jack of two portions, adapted to be joined together for use. I have found that usually it is the projecting butt which is snapped off by the reciprocating carriage, and I have devised a means whereby one part of the jack can be used over and over again with aportion containing the projecting butt, which portion can be disengaged when the butt is damaged.

Other and further objects of my invention will in part be pointed out specifically and in part be apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment.

(c1. ee-ss In the drawing annexed hereto and made a part hereof, A

Figure 1 is an exploded side elevational view of a pair of jack components constructed according; to and embodying my invention; I Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the jack components secured together, ready for use; and I Fig. 3 is a top plan of the completed jack of Fig.

Reference numeral Ill indicates my new and-l improved jack generally, formed of light guage sheet or rolled metal stamped to size and shape as desired. The jack, as a unit, comprises head portion I 2, having a needle-engaging hook I! formedat its outer extremity. The body portion 5 I6 of the jackhas butt l8 projecting therefrom at right angles thereto, but in the same plane therewith. Body portion I6 is provided with a short extension having a head 22 which inv terfits with a correspondingly shaped opening 20 24 f ormed as by stamping in the inner end of head l2 between the sides, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Preferably, the connection is made at a point slightly removed from the butt IS in order that 25 the blow of the cam or block against butt I8 is not transmitted through to head I! to deform or injure the notched end, thereof. Further, the interflt is of such characterthat movement of the jack as a unit back and forth in line with its length will not loosen or break the connection.

As shown in Figs. land 2, the head 22 is enlarged at its end 25. The notched end 24 of head 52 is smaller than head 22, so that in order to connect the two jack components, it is necessary to place them side-by-side andforce them into the interlocking relationship of Fig. 2, ready for use. This mechanical connection may easily and simply be loosened when it becomes necessary to replace either part.

Itis to be understood that numerous changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the scope of my invention. The form of jack I have illustrated and described is not-.to be considered as limiting my invention which. instead, is to be construed in accordance with the annexed claims.

The main point of my invention is embodied in the concept of a two-piece jack; the point of connection being removed from the point at which the jack is contacted by the cam or block on the machine carriage. Any type of connecting joint may be used, all that is necessary is that, with the connection, the two portions will u not separate upon normal movement back and forth within the grooves or channels.

The advantages of my invention are numerous. For one thing, one portion of the jack, the head portion, can be used over and over again. When, as and if the butt part of the body portion is damaged, it can be separated from the head, and a new body portion fitted thereinto. Use of my invention inevitably results in a monetary saving, since the weight of metal used is substantially reduced, determining jack costs.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A single butt jack for use in links-and- L links" machines comprising a body portion of flat go tion aligned with the body portion,

metal having a hook at one end and engaging means at the other end spaced inwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof, and a flat head porsaid head having an integral butt extension thereon at and weight is a prime factor in right angles thereto, and engaging means on said head portion spaced inwardly from the longitu dinal edges thereof interlocking with the body engaging means to lock said body and head together against displacement in the plane of the head and body. v

2. A single butt jack for use in links-andlinks machines comprising a body portion of flat material having a hook at one end and an engaging means at the opposite end midway between the longitudinal edges comprising a recess, and a head portion of similarly flat material having a portion in line with the body portion and a butt extension therefrom at an angle to the body, said head having engaging means at one end thereof comprising an enlarged portion projecting therefrom fitting within the recess to lock the body and head together against displacement in any direction except at an angle to the plane of the body portion.

'ALBERT DAVID EICHNER. 

